https://hdl.handle.net/10646/2790 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:23:36 GMT 2026-04-15T21:23:36Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3208 Epidemiology of oral Kaposi’s sarcoma in Zimbabwe 1988-1997: A population-based study Marimo, C. Objective: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases globally which contrasts with the lack of population-based studies of oral Kaposi's sarcoma (OKS); one of the clinical cardinal signs of HIV/AIDS. To date, no study has investigated the incidence of OKS in African populations affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is, therefore, the purpose of this study to assess the burden of OKS in the Zimbabwean population over a 10 year period. Design: A descriptive epidemiological study was undertaken to assess the burden of OKS by determining the frequencies, incidence and cumulative rates, the lifetime risk and chances of developing OKS according to site (topography), gender, age, race/ethnic origin of the Zimbabwean population. A total of 445 incident cases of OKS from the upper and lower lips, oral vestibule, retromolar area, floor of mouth, tongue, cheek, mucosa, gums, hard and soft palate were accessed from the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry (ZNCR). Cases from the skin, pharynx, larynx and the major salivary glands were excluded from the study. Setting: This comprised the population of Zimbabwe during the 10 year period 1988-1997. The population figures used for this study were fro the 1992 Census Zimbabwe National Report. The study population was standardized by the direct method against the world standard population to calculate the age standardized incidence rate (ASIR). The SPSS statistical software programme (SPSS Inc. 2001, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. Results: OKS comprised 0.92% of total body malignancies and 51 % of oral malignancies with a mean age of study cases of 37.6 years and median age of 32 years. Histology of the primary (64.5%) and clinical diagnosis (34.6%) were the predominant methods of diagnosis. OKS affected nearly only blacks and males more than females, with a male to female ratio of 1.9:1. The most affected age groups by OKS were the 30 to 34 years for male and 25 to 29 years for both females and the whole population. Other notable peaks in OKS rates were in the 0 to 4 year and the 75+ age groups. OKS mostly affected the palate (70.2%) followed by, in descending order, the tongue (13.3%) and mouth (8.3%). The age adjusted age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of OKS exponentially increased the entire study period bypassing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as the predominant oral malignancy in 1994. Among AIDS-associated malignancies, OKS accounted for 98% while the balance comprised Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, haemangiosarcoma and lymphoma not specified. Conclusion: OKS was the commonest malignancy of young adults affecting males more than females. OKS steady increased for the entire study period overtaking SCC in 1994 to become the commonest oral malignancy for the remainder of the study period. The palate was the most affected intra-oral site by OKS. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3208 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3153 The role of dental practitioners in Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PITC) for patients attending dental practices in Harare, Zimbabwe Mucheto, P.; Makoni, F.; Mahachi, L.; Mahomva, L.; Rusike, TAZ; Masiiwa, A.; Kumbawa, R. Objective: To assess the role o f Zimbabwean dental practitioners in Provider Initiated H IV Counseling and Testing (PITC). Design: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Setting: Harare private and public dental practices. Subjects: Forty dental practitioners practicing in Harare and two hundred and ninety three patients attending dental practices in Harare were interviewed. Main Outcome Measures: Dental practitioners' practices on HIV counseling and testing for dental patients, acceptability of HIV testing in dental settings and missed opportunities for HIV counseling and testing in dental settings were assessed. Results and Conclusion: Half of the dental practitioners (20) interviewed reported offering HIV counseling to dental patients during their clinical duties. The majority 62% only referred their patients for HIV testing when they presented with oral manifestations of HIV infection. Seventy three percent (29) of practitioners interviewed were not aware of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare guidelines on HIV counseling and testing. Eighty seven percent (255) of dental patients in this study reported not being counseled nor referred for HIV counseling and testing by their dental practitioner during their dental visits. More than a third (36.5%) of the dental patients experienced repeated missed opportunities for accessing HIV counseling and testing in health settings. The minimal that the dentists may need to be involved with in PITC is counseling their patients and improve referral for care. There is need for continued medical education for dentists on issues related to new HIV interventions or protocols such as PITC. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3153 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3080 Supernumerary teeth: Literature review Prasada Ravo, P.V.V.; Chidzonga, M.M. A review of the literature on supernumerary teeth in general and supernumerary molars in particular was carried out on prevalence, aetiology, complications and the treatment of supernumerary teeth. Additional teeth are relatively common and are usually of simple conical shape (supernumerary teeth) but may resemble teeth of the normal size and shape. The aim of this review is to provide reference material for dental practitioners in Zimbabwe. Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/3080 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10646/2832 Infection control among dental therapists in Zimbabwe Chidzonga, M.M.; Makoni, F.; Mahomva, L. Objectives: To assess the general infection control practices with special reference to the prevention of transmission ofHIV/AIDS infection among dental therapists in Zimbabwe. Setting: Dental therapists practising in Zimbabwe Government Oral Health Clinics. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Questions dealt with infection control practices in the procedure rooms, including barriers to transmission of infection, the practice of disinfection of working surfaces, the use of autoclave, and sterilization of the handpiece. The questionnaire also covered issues of personal protection through the use of protective wear, vaccination against hepatitis B as well as knowledge of one's HIV status. Results: There was a 68% (24/35) response rate. The therapists were predominantly male and they were evenly distributed in the provinces of Zimbabwe. All were trained in Zimbabwe; 91.7% had not been vaccinated against hepatitis B and only 20% (n=7) had undergone previous HIV testing. Use ot gloves was universal; 92% used face masks; 66.7% used protective eyewear; 87.5% wore protective garments; 95% autoclavcd/chemoclavcd high speed handpieces; 83.3% autoclavcd/chemoclavcd slow speed handpieces. Barriers to infection control ranged from 22.7% to 40.9% and was attributed to non-availability of gloves and disinfectants. Conclusion: The dental therapists seem to practise acceptable infection control methods. There is need to improve upon handpiece sterilization, the use of eyewear and improvement upon supplies for disinfection. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus needs to be encouraged. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10646/2832 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z